Zappa's earliest influences were 1950s pop and rock (such as doo-wop and rhythm and blues), and 20th-century classical composers including Igor Stravinsky and Edgard Varèse. His output was divided between adventurous instrumental compositions and succinct, catchy rock songs with ribald, satirical, or comically absurd lyrics. On stage he demanded virtuosity and spontaneity from his musicians, and employed many performers who would later go on to achieve fame in their own rights. He directed and released a number of films featuring himself, his musicians and entourage, including 200 Motels and Baby Snakes.
His career started in 1955. His earliest recordings date from the mid-1960s, and include collaborations with his school friend Captain Beefheart. In 1965 he joined a bar-band called The Soul Giants, quickly dominating its musical direction and rechristening it The Mothers. Their first release (as The Mothers of Invention; the name alteration requested by their record company) was the 1966 double album Freak Out!. The line-up of the Mothers gradually expanded to accommodate Zappa's increasingly ambitious and avant-garde music, but by 1969 he decided to work outside the band structure, focusing on his solo career, and effectively disbanding the Mothers in 1971.
The beginnings of his solo career in the late sixties and early seventies was characterised by a strong free jazz influence, with albums containing little, if any, lyrical content, such as Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and The Grand Wazoo. Towards the mid-seventies his albums became more rock-orientated, with a combination of Jazz Fusion instrumentation and Rock song structures. This more accessible sound bore reasonable mainstream appeal, especially with the release of the well-advertised albums Over-Nite Sensation and Apostrophe (') (which both went Gold), but Zappa's unpredictably eclectic output never led to solid mainstream recognition. He received uniformly lukewarm reviews from popular music publications such as Rolling Stone throughout his career. In his late seventies' output, the gulf between his humorous songs and more lengthy, complex instrumental music widened, and albums, such as Zappa in New York, Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III, and Sleep Dirt displayed, by track, both sides firmly segregated.
Zappa saw a second run of success in the early eighties with the release of many albums with predominantly comedic rock songs, but later continued to experiment with virtually every style of music through the eighties, and was productive as ever until his death. His output in this later-career period included two albums of strikingly original classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra, an electronic take on 18th-century chamber music (written by the obscure Italian composer 'Francesco Zappa', no relation), an album of Synclavier compositions (misleadingly titled Jazz From Hell which garnered a Grammy award), a double-CD release of electric guitar instrumental music (the laconically titled Guitar) and a plenitude of official live releases, revisiting fan-favourites as well as showcasing Zappa's talent for reinventing the music of others; his version of Stairway to Heaven becoming a word-of-mouth favourite.
Zappa produced almost all of his own albums, spending many hours in the studio recording and manipulating tracks, and was always at the forefront of emerging technologies; from tape editing, collage, multitrack and overdubbing in the sixties to digital recording, electronic instruments and sampling in the eighties. Conversely, Zappa was also a obsessive self-archivist, recording virtually every one of his live performances, and often using live recordings of new material without needing to enter the studio. The archive of tapes at his family home in Los Angeles continues to be a source of posthumous releases for the Zappa Family Trust. He was also noted as a spotter of talent and his shifting line-up of musicians included Lowell George, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terry Bozzio, Chad Wackerman, George Duke, Mike Keneally, Adrian Belew and Steve Vai, as well as giving Alice Cooper his first break in music and working again with his old collaborator Captain Beefheart when his career was in decline.
In the late 1980s he became active in politics, campaigning against the PMRC's music censorship scheme and acting as culture and trade representative for Czechoslovakia in 1989; and considered running as an independent candidate for president of the US.
His death in Los Angeles, California, on 4th December 1993 came three years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Joe's Garage
Frank Zappa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We take you now to a garage in canoga park
(it makes its own sauce... if you add water)
It wasn't very large
There was just enough room to cram the drums
In the corner over by the dodge
With a mashed up door
And a cheesy little amp
With a sign on the front said
"fender champ"
And a second-hand guitar
It was a stratocaster with a whammy bar
We could jam in joe's garage
His mama was screamin'
His dad was mad
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
All we did was bend the string like . . .
Hey!
Down in joe's garage
We didn't have no dope or lsd
But a coupla quartsa beer
Would fix it so the intonation
Would not offend yer ear
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
Became a symphony
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
'Cause it sounded good to me
One more time!
We could jam in joe's garage
His mama was screamin',
"turn it down!"
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
Even if you played it on a saxophone
We thought we was pretty good
We talked about keepin' the band together
'n we figured that we should
'cause about this time we was gettin' the eye
From the girls in the neighborhood
They'd all come over 'n dance around like . . .
So we picked out a stupid name
Had some cards printed up for a coupla bucks
'n we was on our way to fame
Got matching suits
'n beattle boots
'n a sign on the back of the car
'n we was ready to work in a go-go bar
One two three four
Let's see if you've got some more!
People seemed to like our song
They got up 'n danced 'n made a lotta noise
An' it wasn't 'fore very long
A guy from a company we can't name
Said we oughta take his pen
'n sign on the line for a real good time
But he didn't tell us when
These "good times" would be somethin'
That was really happenin'
So the band broke up
An' it looks like
We will never play again...
Guess you only get one chance in life
To play a song that goes like...
Turn it down!
Turn it down!
I have children sleeping here . . .
Don't you boys know any nice songs?
Well the years was rollin' by
Heavy metal 'n glitter rock
Had caught the public eye
Snotty boys with lipstick on
Was really flyin' high
'n then they got that disco thing
'n new wave came along
'n all of a sudden I thought the time
Had come for that old song
We used to play in "joe's garage"
And if I am not wrong
You will soon be dancin' to the . . .
Central scrutinizer:
The white zone is for loading and unloading only.
If you gotta load or unload, go to the white zone...
I said the years was rollin' by, yeah
The years was rollin' by...
I'm calling the police!
So the years was rollin' by...
I did it!
So the years was rollin' by...
They'll be here... shortly!
By, by, the years was rollin' by...
This is the police...
I'm not joking around anymore!
Come out!
We have the garage surrounded
The years was rollin' by...
Give yourself up
We will not harm you
Or hurt you, neither
I said the years was rollin' by . . .
You'll see now!
There they are, they're coming!
This is the police
Give yourself up
We will not harm you
The years was rollin' by . . .
Listen to that mess, would you!
This is the police
Give yourself up
We have the garage surrounded
Every day this goes on around here!
The years was rollin' by...
We will not harm you
Or maim you
(swat team 4, move in!)
The years was rollin' by . . .
He used to cut my grass . . .
He was a very nice boy . . .
This is the police
Come out with your hands up
This is the central scrutinizer . . .
That was joe's first confrontation with the law.
Naturally, we were easy on him.
One of our friendly counselors gave him
A do-nut . . . and told him to
Stick closer to church-oriented social activities.
The song "Joe's Garage" by Frank Zappa is a three-part rock opera that tells the story of a young guitarist named Joe who starts a band with his friends in his garage. The Central Scrutinizer, a character in the song who represents the government's control over society, narrates the story. The lyrics describe how the band jammed in Joe's garage, playing the same old song over and over again. The song also touches on themes of censorship and the dangers of conformity.
In the first part of the song, Zappa describes the cramped garage where the band played, the instruments they used, and the simple joys of playing music with friends. The lyrics mention Joe's mother screaming to turn the music down and his father being mad about the noise. Despite these obstacles, the band continues to play the same old song, over and over again. They drink beer to drown out the monotony and make the music sound better than it actually is.
By the second part of the song, the band has gotten better and has even started playing gigs in a go-go bar. They've gotten matching suits and Beetle boots and seem to be on the verge of making it big. However, things take a dark turn when a record executive tries to sign them to a contract that will ultimately lead to their downfall. The lyrics become more pessimistic, suggesting that the band will never play together again.
The final section of the song sees Joe getting arrested by the police. The Central Scrutinizer offers him a donut and tells him to stick closer to church-oriented social activities. The song ends with the police surrounding Joe's garage as the band's music continues to play in the background. The lyrics suggest that conformity and censorship have won out over creativity and freedom of expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Central scrutinizer:
Introducing the story, the central scrutinizer takes us to a garage in Canoga Park.
We take you now to a garage in canoga park
Let us transport you to a small garage in Canoga Park.
(it makes its own sauce... if you add water)
The garage has some unique features, like making its own sauce with water.
It wasn't very large
The garage was not spacious.
There was just enough room to cram the drums
The space was only sufficient to fit the drums.
In the corner over by the dodge
The drums were placed in the corner near a Dodge.
It was a fifty-four
The Dodge was a 1954 model.
With a mashed up door
The car's door was damaged.
And a cheesy little amp
There was a cheap and low-quality amplifier.
With a sign on the front said "fender champ"
The amp had a sign that read "Fender Champ" on the front.
And a second-hand guitar
There was also a used guitar.
It was a stratocaster with a whammy bar
The guitar was a Stratocaster model with a whammy bar.
We could jam in joe's garage
The garage was a place for us to play music freely.
His mama was screamin'
Joe's mother would often shout or complain.
His dad was mad
Joe's father would get angry.
We was playin' the same old song
We would often play the same song repeatedly.
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Sometimes in the afternoon, we would
Play it all night long
Continue playing the song throughout the night.
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
Playing this song was all we knew, and it was simple as well.
So we wouldn't get it wrong
To avoid making mistakes, we stuck to playing this song.
All we did was bend the string like . . .
Our musical skills were limited, and all we could do was slightly alter the sound.
Hey!
Indicating a change or interruption in the story.
We didn't have no dope or lsd
We didn't have drugs like marijuana or LSD.
But a coupla quartsa beer
Instead, we would have a couple of quarts of beer.
Would fix it so the intonation
The beer would make the music sound better.
Would not offend yer ear
It would ensure that the sound pleases your ears.
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
We would continuously play the same chords repeatedly.
Became a symphony
These repeated chords turned into a musical symphony.
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
We had the freedom to play it over and over again.
'Cause it sounded good to me
We continued playing it because it sounded good to us.
One more time!
Let's play it once more!
"turn it down!"
Joe's mother would shout to lower the volume.
Even if you played it on a saxophone
The song would still sound good even if played on a different instrument like a saxophone.
We thought we was pretty good
We believed that we were quite skilled.
We talked about keepin' the band together
We discussed the idea of staying together as a band.
'n we figured that we should
We decided that it was a good idea.
'cause about this time we was gettin' the eye
Around this time, we were starting to get attention.
From the girls in the neighborhood
Girls from the local area showed interest in us.
They'd all come over 'n dance around like . . .
They would come to our shows and dance excitedly.
So we picked out a stupid name
We chose a silly and foolish band name.
Had some cards printed up for a coupla bucks
We got business cards made for a small amount of money.
'n we was on our way to fame
We believed that we were on the path to becoming famous.
Got matching suits
We all bought suits that matched.
'n beattle boots
And we also wore boots popularized by the Beatles.
'n a sign on the back of the car
There was a sign on the back of our car.
'n we was ready to work in a go-go bar
With all the preparations, we were ready to perform at a go-go bar.
Let's see if you've got some more!
We challenge you to show us what else you can do!
People seemed to like our song
The audience enjoyed our music.
They got up 'n danced 'n made a lotta noise
They enthusiastically got out of their seats, danced, and made a lot of noise.
An' it wasn't 'fore very long
Before long
A guy from a company we can't name
A representative from a company (that remains anonymous) approached us.
Said we oughta take his pen
He suggested that we should sign a contract with his company.
'n sign on the line for a real good time
He promised us an opportunity for a great experience if we signed the contract.
But he didn't tell us when
However, he didn't specify when these 'good times' would actually happen.
These "good times" would be somethin'
We didn't know what exactly these 'good times' would entail.
That was really happenin'
If these 'good times' were actually occurring or not.
So the band broke up
As a result, the band disbanded.
An' it looks like
It seems like
We will never play again...
We will never have another opportunity to perform together again.
Guess you only get one chance in life
It appears that you only get one opportunity in life.
To play a song that goes like...
To perform a song like...
Turn it down!
Joe's mother urges us to lower the volume.
I have children sleeping here . . .
She expresses concern because her children are trying to sleep.
Don't you boys know any nice songs?
She asks if we know any pleasant or appropriate songs to play.
Well the years was rollin' by
As time passed
Heavy metal 'n glitter rock
Genres like heavy metal and glitter rock
Had caught the public eye
Became popular among the general public.
Snotty boys with lipstick on
Young boys with attitude, wearing lipstick
Was really flyin' high
Achieved great success and popularity.
'n then they got that disco thing
Then, disco music became popular.
'n new wave came along
Followed by the emergence of the new wave genre.
'n all of a sudden I thought the time
At that moment, I felt like it was the right time
Had come for that old song
To revisit and perform the old song.
We used to play in "joe's garage"
The song we used to perform at Joe's garage.
And if I am not wrong
If my memory serves me right
You will soon be dancin' to the . . .
You will soon be dancing to the same song.
"The white zone is for loading and unloading only."
A statement from the Central scrutinizer about the purpose of the white zone.
If you gotta load or unload, go to the white zone...
For any loading or unloading tasks, please use the white zone.
The years was rollin' by, yeah
As time passed
I'm calling the police!
A statement indicating that someone is calling the police.
They'll be here... shortly!
The police will arrive soon.
Give yourself up
Surrender and give yourself in to the authorities.
We will not harm you
The police assure that they won't cause any harm.
Or hurt you, neither
They won't inflict any injuries on you either.
This is the police...
An announcement indicating that the police have arrived.
I'm not joking around anymore!
The singer asserts that they are not joking and should be taken seriously.
Come out!
The police demand someone to come out.
We have the garage surrounded
The police claim that they have the entire area around the garage under control.
Give yourself up
Surrender and give yourself in to the authorities.
Listen to that mess, would you!
Expressing dissatisfaction or disapproval of the noise coming from the garage.
Every day this goes on around here!
Complaining that this situation happens every day in the area.
We will not harm you
The police assure that they won't cause any harm.
Or maim you
They won't inflict any serious injuries on you.
(swat team 4, move in!)
An internal command given to the SWAT team to proceed with their operation.
He used to cut my grass . . .
Referring to someone who used to mow the singer's lawn.
He was a very nice boy . . .
Describing the person mentioned earlier as a kind individual.
This is the police
An announcement indicating that the police have arrived.
Come out with your hands up
The police demand that someone surrender by raising their hands.
This is the central scrutinizer...
The central scrutinizer reappears and resumes narrating the story.
That was joe's first confrontation with the law.
Describing Joe's initial encounter with law enforcement.
Naturally, we were easy on him.
As expected, we showed leniency towards him.
One of our friendly counselors gave him
One of our approachable counselors provided him with
A do-nut . . . and told him to
A donut and advised him to
Stick closer to church-oriented social activities.
Engage more in events and gatherings related to the church.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Zappa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind